Saturday, May 21, 2011

Picturing Palm Trees

A few years ago I found my first palm tree photo and a new collection was born. Since then I’ve found or have been given a few more, including some of my dear father taken during his time in the navy. I love these photos-and all old photos for that matter-for their depiction of people in different eras from today, simply living their lives. The glimpses into the past these pictures offer connect us to people we’ll never meet or times we’ll never get to live in-and I find that connection comforting.Since today is rainy and cold, I thought it would be the perfect day to share my palm tree photo collection with you. They are fun to look at, and they even help me feel like I too am in a tropical paradise somewhere-if only vicariously through the wonderful, mysterious people in the photos. I’ve put any actual captions written on these photos in italics. The rest of the observations are mine. There are quite a few photographs here-so go ahead and get yourself something to drink first-a cup of tea, or a Pina Colada perhaps, and enjoy! I love their dresses. I bet they were colorful!

Miami Beach, June 1942“High Price! and Low Price!”

This is an old post card. Classic palm tree beauty!

I like how the photographer included a bit of his or her car in this one.

Lee Shatson at Pago PagoFebruary 1946

I love those swimsuits! I was lucky enough to come across an old 1940’s pattern for suits just like these!

Roaring glamour in this photo! I love the women’s hats and coats!

I bet these two were best friends-was the soldier home on leave, I wonder, or the first of the two to join up?

My dad on Guam.

Anyone recognize where this was taken? I’m not sure.

This photo appears to have been taken around the turn of the century-in the teens perhaps. I’m glad there were palm tree lovers back then!

Tobe Boyd in Los Angeles California August 1937

This looks like Waikiki.

I’ve taken a palm tree photo from this angle too-a connection!

These two look like a couple of nice high school boys. I bet they were nice to their mothers, too.

Roger and Shirley March 30-1953

A reunion of some kind, is my assumption about this one.

Snow on palm tree is written on the back, and you can see the tiny white dots of snow flakes in the foreground too.

16 comments:

What a beautiful collection you have. I like the idea of telling so many life stories with a palm tree background in each, actually connecting the photos together too. Hm, I think you have the makings of a book here :)

Great pics. I love looking at old photos, even if it's of people I don't know. For some reason... full on sport jackets and suits just don't seem to blend very well with palm trees. I bet if they could have traded them in for a pair of Birdwells, they would have been much more comfortable in Paradise!! :O)